Just as astrology is predicated on the science of celestial mathematics yet relies on the artful interpretation of the astrologer; so too does music, which is based on the science of ratio, proportion and mathematical harmony, rely on the artful interpretation of the musician in order to find its expression. This is the premise of astromusicology. Jaime Paul Lamb specializes in harmonium improvisations that explore the intersection between astrology and music.

Using a theoretical method of planetary, zodiacal and aspectual correspondences Jaime Paul Lamb renders certain astrological placements, transits and signatures into harmonium improvisations. Using this system of astromusicological correspondences, any type of radical chart or even based on direct observation of the night sky based on the horoskopos (ascendant or "hour marker") may be rendered into the component units for musical improvisation.

Astrology is a science and an art - a science, in that it is a computational/algebraic system using geometry to describe planetary relationships; and an art, in that the symbolic data yielded requires the interpretation and mythologization of an astrologer. Similarly, music is scientific in that it deals with subdivisions of time and duration, chords, ratios and harmonic relationships in the physical medium of air-pressure waves. Music is artistic in that these components are necessarily arranged as such to communicate abstract information, even eliciting emotional responses for the listener/interpreter.

About the image:

Title:
Horoscope from the book of the birth of Iskandar

Description:
Horoscope of Prince Iskandar, grandson of Tamerlane, the Turkman Mongol conqueror. This horoscope shows the positions of the heavens at the moment of Iskandar's birth on 25th April 1384. This is a fly leaf from the personal horoscope of Iskandar Sultan (died 1415), grandson of Timur, who ruled the province of Farsin, Iran. He is best known for his early military career and his patronage of the arts and sciences.

Apart from being a horoscope, this manuscript is an exquisite work of art and an exemplary production of the royal kitabkhana 'publishing house' or 'workshop'. The manuscript of 1411 is lavishly illustrated and reflects the efforts of a whole range of specialists: astronomers (among them Imad ad-Din Mahmud al-Kashi), illuminators, gilders, calligraphers and craftsmen, and specialists in paper-making.

The manuscript was bought in Iran in 1794 by John H. Harrington, who had started his career as a clerk in the East India Company. In 1932, it was auctioned at Sotheby's and bought for £6/15d by Sir Henry Wellcome who added it to his collection of Oriental books and manuscripts.

References
Library reference: Or MS PER 474, Slide number 8912 and MS 474
Photo number: L0015229